1. Why educational research is so Important and why it is having so little impact Peter Tymms www.cemcentre.org

2. Outline The potential of research Changing policies Structures –Hierarchical nature of our system –Learning progress over the years –Male/female differences Conclusions - throughout

3. Research potential Understanding –Underlying causes –Theory –Prediction But: –Interaction –Complexity Nevertheless …..

4. Can you date this? “ Learning, alas will someday be smothered by … examination, competition, the calculation and publication of results.”

5. J.E.C. Welldon

7. Reasons Dissatisfaction with the old system Forgetting the lessons of history New evidence and new theories New technology New politicians

8. Impact of Policies on Standards Primary schools –Hundreds of millions £ –Impact on reading Tiny –Impact on maths Modest Secondary –….

9. Leaving Certificates

10. Summary Massive efforts to raise standards More students staying on More gaining qualifications Levels of basic skills have remained fairly constant Higher grades are easier to obtain

11. Hierarchy within Education Schools Clusters Classes Pupils Countries

12. Which matters most? 1.Country 2.Cluster 3.School 4.Teacher 5.Pupil

14. Which matters most? 1.Country ? 2.Cluster 3.School 4.Teacher 5.Pupil

15. Learning – growth pattern

16. With more detail

17. In Summary There are patterns to learning –General growth curve –Learning follows teaching –Specific patterns by SES Subject matter Delays can be problematic Forcing the pace can be counterproductive Little and often is best

18. Sex Differences Gender differences in school performance –How big are they? By subject By ages? Choice

19. Age 3-18 Official data –A level –GCSE –End of KS3 & KS2 CEM projects –ALIS –YELLIS –MidYIS –PIPS –ASPECTS

20. Mathematics

21. English Vocabulary, Reading and Writing

22. Science

23. A Complication: Maths

24. Choices pre-university: Most Female

25. Pre-university: Most Male

26. Summary Attainment –Male  Female But –Mathematics spread: Male > Female –Language based areas: Female > Male Choices –heavily gender based

27. Why do we see differences? Nature Nurture Or the two together

28. Evidence from monkeys